Arch support



March 14, 1933. L Q MV1-CHU.; 1,901,353

ARCH SUPPORT Filed Jan. '7, 1952 Figi 1 I L FEZ. 2'

AT1 ys. 1

' Patented Mar. 14, 1933 UNITEDy sTATEs PATENT OFFICE JEAN G. HITCHIE,OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO STEPHENSON LABOBA TOBIES TRUST, OFBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A VOLUNTARY TRUST OF MASSA- CHUSETTS ARCH SUPPORTApplication lcd January 7, 1932. Serial No. 585,188.

This invention relates to devices for cori recting the arches of thefoot which have assumed abnormal positions and for strengthening andhealing the muscles and tendons thereof.

The arches of the human foot have a very definite natural positionpeculiar to the individual, and when the elements which tie together thebony structure'of the foot lbecome weakened the arches assume apermanent position below their normal disposition and the individualsuffers what is commonly, known as' fallen arches. As the bones of thefoot articulate in this subnormal position the muscles and ligaments areovertaxed and become weakened. If this condition is not remedied and theperson continues to sustain his weight upon his feet, the affect uponhis arches is cumulative and in time will cause the individual muchsuffering. It is the principal object of the present invention toprovide means which will support the bones of the foot in their naturalpositions, and thereby permit the muscles and tendons of the foot toregain their normal strength.

The invention has for a further object to provide an arch support whichsustains all portions of the arch in their natural position, and at thesame time acts to absorb all excessive pressure over and above thatcaused by the weight of the body.

The object of the invention is further to provide an arch support whichconforms to an accurate impression of the bottom surface of theindividual foot and is itself supported at all points by reason of itsaccurate conformity to the inner face of the inner sole of the shoe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a support capable ofbeing readily 'shaped to correct any maladjustment of any or all of thevarious arch structures of the i foot or the alignment of the heel.

A further object of the invention is to provide in an arch support meansto eliminate irritation of the portions of the foot caused by rubbingcontact with the shoe, thereby to pil'event the formation of callousesand the Other objects and features of the invention will more fullyappear from the following description in 'connection with theaccomvpanying drawings and will be particularly pointed out inthe-claims. v

The invention comprises essentially a supporting member which transfersthe pressure of the sole of the shoe to the sole of the foot in a mannerto correctly support the arches. It is constructed of special materialwhich yields upon the application of excessive pressure, but issufficiently resistant to retain its original conformation, whilesustaining the weight of the body. As will hereinafter more fullyappear, the su port is accurately shaped t'o conform to t e foot by aspecial process. When the support has been given its correct shape inorder to give it a suitable finished appearance, its top and bottom faceare covered with fabric. of soft leather or any other material ofsimilar character.

The effectiveness of the present invention is more clearly presented byfirst briefly discussing the structure of the human foot. The skeletonof the foot viewed from one side presents a generally flatv triangularform having its long side at the base of the foot. The twoupwardly-extending sides of the triangle are composed of a series ofbones which receive the-weight of the body at their apex and whicharticulate when walking.

This jointed bone structure forms the prinstructure is maintained in itsproper position and the various elements thereof are restrainedlongitudinally and transversely by numerous muscles, tendons andligaments, the most important of which is the plantar ligament whichconnects the two lower points of the arch.

When the muscles and tendons of the foot become weakened or diseased,the arch tends to lower` due to the weight of the body, thereby creatingan abnormal condition. To correct this condition, the arch must begently and firmly supported in its natural position and 'maintained inthat position in order to permitv the muscles and tendons to regaintheir former strength. The present vinvention accomplishes this resultin a very effective manner. The particular construction ofin such amanner' as to conform thereto the arch support embodying the inventionaffords a firm support which corrects the maladjustment of the arch, andfurthermore has 5 a'surface which will yield at any particular pointwhere an abnormal pressure arises, such for instance, as the .abnormalpressure caused by the bulging of a muscle.

The present invention contemplates the production of a suitablecorrective appliance for each 'foot of the particular individual forwhose use it is adapted and comprises the production of a reenforcingdevice for the articulated members of the foot which l5 presents anupper surface conforming to the contour of the undistended normal soleof the foot, and an under surface conforming to the surface of the innersole of the shoe. with a reenforcement therebetween of material having'sufiicient .resilience to withstand the normal pressure of the foot andyieldable in any portion in response to abnormal pressure applied to theupper surface thereof.

The term insole is used therein as delining the corrective device whichis adapted to be inserted into the shoe which the indi- `vid'ual usesand which rests upon the inner. sole of the shoe. The term inner sole isused herein to define the inner sole portion of the shoe which may bedirectly secured to the outer sole or which may be indirectly securedthereto by a welt. i

The character of the arch support issuch that a local displacement ofthe surface of 5" the arch may take place, while the remaining areathereof maintains .the\ bony structure of the foot in its correctedposition. It is apparent, therefore, that an even pressure is maintainedat all times throughout the entire area of the support, therebyeliminating the possibility of any irritation between the support andthe bottom of the foot. The structure of the .support is such that it iscapable of sustaining the weight of the body and resists depressioncaused by anormal stress im ed thereon. When, however, a sudden s ock oran abnormal pressure is applied to the foot,-the support will yield andthereby avoid transmitting such'shock to the tender pliant members ofthe foot. The

action of the arch support when walking becomes a gentle massage of-thefoot permitting the free-play of all muscles and ten'- dons whichrapidly restores it to a normal.

f healthy condition.

The resent invention not onlylincludes an insel; of the character abovedescribed, but the method of producing the same which may be broadlydescribed as the process of roducing an insole for reenforcingarticulilted members of the foot which comprises producing from plasticmaterial a model conforming to the undistended sole of the normal footsmoothly applying a thin sheet of bmus material to the lsole portie-nmode] undistended condition.

throughout its entire surface, detachably securing said sheet thereto,-cementing upon the vsheet of fibrous material a layer of suitableresilient material, then fashioning the upper surfacev thereof toconform to the surface contour of -the inner sole of the shoe, andpreferably cementing upon the surface thus formed a cover of pliablematerial permitting the inner sole thus formed to set firmly and finallyremoving the insole from the model. The insole thus formed is adaptedwhen inserted in the shoe, therefore, to conform upon its under side tothe contour of the inner sole of the shoe and its upper surface willconform strictly to the contour of the sole of the individuals foot inits normal By reason, therefore, of the flexibility of the sole of theshoe and of the resilient reenforcing member, the articulation of thefoot will at all times be properly maintained whether the wearer of theshoe is sitting, standing or walking.

In the drawing:

Fig. lis a cross sectional view throu h the arch supporting insole invprocess o construction while applied to a model ofthe individual foot.

Fig. '2 is a cross sectional view of the arch supporting insole in theposition it is worn within the shoe.

Fig. 3 is a top plan vievsr of the support before it has received itsfinishing covers.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5Fig. 3.

The drawing illustrates the several steps of the method above describedfor producing an individual insole having the characteristics abovedefined. Since the proper function of the device depends upon itsaccurate conformation to the contour of the soleof thel foot when theelements of the foot are in their normal position, an impression ormatrix of the foot is first taken. The matrix may be made in anysuitable material which readily receives an impression. The matrix isthen used to casta model 1 of plaster of Paris or any other similarmaterial suitable for the purpose. The finished model then bearsv theshape of the foot of the patient and is trimmed along its periphery tothe desired dimensions of the finished support. For convenience a model1 is inverted as shown in Fig. 1 and a. sheet of fabric 2, such ascheese cloth or material of similar nature is applied tothe surface ofthe model by drawing its edges down over the sides thereof andceinenting them thereto. The cloth then is given one or more coats ofwaterproof cement which is allowed to harden. The body portion 3 of thesupport is then cemented to the fabric 2. The material out of which thebody portion is made must have the 'characteristics above specified. Asheet of cork in lits natural form or a sheet of agglomerated ofapertures 6.

resilient granulated material such as granulated cork has been found tobe a satisfactory material. A portion 3 of the sheet then is cut to agenerally triangular shape and of a length to extend throughoutsubstantially the distance between the points of support of the arch.The triangular body portion then is skived or filed roughly to theproper shape to fill the depression of the main or plantar arch with oneof its faces fitting the inner surface of the sole of the shoe, and itsother face. conforming to the The body portion 3 then is applied to thefabric sheet 2 which has been previously secured to the model, and whichhas been coated with another layer of cement. Suliicient pressure thenis applied to cause the portion 3 to assume the exact form of the model.

If it is necessary to correct other portions of the foot besides theplantar arch, for instance, the transverse ormetatarsal arch, or tocorrect the alignment of the heel, additional supporting members may beprovided. The support shown in Fig. 1 is provided with a pad or rise 4adapted to correct the alignment of the heel and in addition a pad orrise 5 is cut and shaped to till the depression of the metatarsal arch.The pad or rise 4 acting upon the heel preferably is made of the samematerial as the section 3 and is skived to proper dimensions andcemented to the section 3 in position to form a smooth curved contourtherewith. The pad or rise 5 is of similar material and shaped tocorrect the metatarsal arch and cemented to the forepart of the section3 in correct position to sustain the arch in its natural position.

The assembled arch support having the pads 4 and 5 attached thereto isthen applied to the model and cemented to the fabric 2rthereon underpressure in the manner above set forth in connection with the bodyportion 3 when used without the additional rises. The cement is thenallowed to harden -and the arch support is stripped from' the cutting ortearing the fabric 2 atA model'by the upper peripheral edge of themodel.

The arch support then is inverted and placed in position within the shoeto determine whether its bottom face conforms to the inner surface ofthe shoe sole. If the fit-is not proper, the support is filed and skiveduntil its whole area bears evenly upon the inner sole of the shoe.Before putting on the Afinishing top and bottom layers of fabric thesupport may be perforated throughout its area as by means of the seriesThese apertures may be formed in the support before it is applied to themodel if desired. The perforations provide beneficial ventilation withinthe shoe which aids in the normal respiration through the pores of theskin and they also serve to provide a more eifective resilientcharacface of the model;

ter to the material of the'body portion of the device.

After the support has received its final conformation a layer of fabric7, such as khaki or material of similar character is cemented to thebottom face thereof and trimmed neatly to the edge. The upper surfacedesirably is provided with a layer 8 of soft leather such as calfskin orsuede. After trimming the layer of leatheron the top surface thecompleted support again is applied to the model where it is allowed toarden thoroughly. When the completed arch-supporting insole is insertedin the l shoe 9, its upper face presents a surface accurately conformingto the sole of the normal foot and acting to apply exactly the propercorrective pressure to the deformed portions of the foot.

One of the important features of the invention is the fact that everyportion of the foot is supported in its correct position and maintainedin that position since there is present at every point throughout thearea thereof exactly the right amount of filling between the foot andall portions of the shoe. This feature has the effect of restoring thearch by supporting the weakened elements of the foot in a natural andgentle manner, which results in time in restoring the elements of thefoot to their normal con-dition'.

By securing to the rear end portion of the material for reenforcing thearch a pad of suitable material fashioned to raise the p0rtion of a heelwhich has been displaced from its normal position, the -alignment of theheel can be corrected, thereby further aiding and restoring the arch toits normal position.

In instances where a misplacement of the anterior or metatarsal archhasoccurred, a pad of suitable material fashioned to restore the displacedarch to normal position not only aids the muscles and tendons inrestoring the arch to its normal position, but it also so corrects theskeleton structure of the foot as to prevent undue displacement of thejoints and consequent friction with the upper of the shoe which wouldresult in callouses or corns, inasmuch as the formation of callouses iscaused the portion of the shoe which is not properly adjusted to thefoot. Where cornsy or bunions are found upon the bottom of the foot, thepad is correctly positioned to press gently but firmly upon the corn orbunion which will reduce the friction between the skin and the insole toa sufficient extent not only to prevent increase upon the thickness ofthe corn or bunion, but eventually to restore the skin to normalcondition.

Such a method is the most effective method to restore arches of the footwhich have lowered or to correct misalignment of any of the bonystructures thereof. Much ofthe pracby rubbing contact with massagingaction sole of tices heretofore in evidence have been based uponentirely different principles involving the use of a ready made or stockarch support made of metal or other rigid material. One of the chiefobjections to using such an arch support is the practical impossibilityof shaping the support to accurately lit the individual foot- An archsupportinginsole constructed under the principles of the presentinvent-ion is exceedingly comfortable to Wear owing to its yieldingcharacter as above described, and produces a very beneficial Whil-eWalking.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. The process of producing an insole for reenforcing articulatedmembers of the foot which comprises producing from plastic material amodel conforming to the undistended sole of an individualsnormal foot,smoothly applying light fabric to the sole portion of said modelthroughout its entire area and de tichably securing margins of the sameto sai terial to said fabric, fashioning the upper surface thereof Whilesecured to the model to conform to the surface contour of the inner soleof the shoe, cementing a covering of pliable material to said resilientmaterial permitting the cement to harden while the insole is secured tosaid model, and detaching the insole thus formed from the model.

2. The process for producing an insole for reenforcing articulatedmembers of the foot which comprises terial a model conforming to theundistended sole of an individuals normal foot, smoothly applying alight fabric to the sole portion of said model throughout its entirearea and detachably securing the margin of the same to said model,cementing a body of resilient reenforcing material to said fabric,fashioning the upper surface thereof While secured to the model toconform to the contour of the inner sole of the shoe, skiving the heelportion of said body and cementing model, cementing a sheet of resilientmaproducing from plastic mainner sole of the shoe, applying to the frontend portions of said body a pad fashioned to compensate for a misplacedanterior or metatarsal arch, cementing the covering of pliable materialto said reenforcing members, permitting the cement to harden While thefabricated insole is secured to said model and detaching the insole thusformed from the model, and applying to the upper surface thereof acovering of soft pliable material.

4. The process of producing an insolefor reenforcing articulated membersof the foot which comprises producing from plastic material a modelconforming to the undistended sole of an individuals normal foot,smoothly applying a light fabric to the sole portion of the modelthroughout its entire area, detachably securing the margins of the sameto said model, cementing a sheet of granulated cork composition to saidfabric, skiving the upper surface thereof while secured to the model toconform to the surface contour 0f the inner sole of the shoe, cementinga covering of pliable material to the upper surface of the fashionedcork composition, permitting the cement to harden While the insole issecured to the model, and inally'detaching the insole thus formed fromthe model.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JEAN G. MITCHIE.

misalignment of the heel and cementing al covering of pliable materialto said body and pad, permitting cement to harden While the insole isapplied to the model, and detaching the insole from the model.

3. The process for producing an insole for reenforcing articulatedmembers of the foot Which comprises producing from plastic material amodel conforming to the undistended an individuals normal foot, smoothlyapplying a light fabric to the sole portion of said model throughout itsentire area andV detachably securing the margin of the same to saidmodel, cementing a body of resilient reenforcing material to saidfabric, fashioning the upper surface thereof while secured to the modelto con form to the contour of the

